SaintTex

Davis - Par Forster - Hit Clyne - Hit Bertrand - Hit Fonte - Hit Alderweireld - Hit Yoshida - Par, very close to Hit Gardos - Par Targett - Par Schneiderlin - Hit Wanyama - Hit JWP - Par Davis - Par Tadic - Hit Elia - Fail, but I really want him to succeed. Reed - insufficient evidence to rate Djuricic - insufficient evidence to rate Long - Par Mane - Hit Pelle - Hit Koeman - Hit We really need an offensively oriented playmaker in the midfield.

I was rooting for Liverpool today because a win for liverpool was good for southampton, but considering how events have unfolded, it's time to adjust. How glorious would it be over the course of the next 6 weeks, if we finish 5th, Tottenham finish 6th and Liverpool finish 7th. Then they would have to sweat it out during the FA Cup Final. Further, what if Villa wins. Lallana, Lovren and Lambert all with no European football next season. Wasn't that the whole point of leaving the Saints? They will have to look at themselves and realize they contributed to Liverpool's absence from European competition next year. In addition, they will realize the didn't earn their Champions League and Europe League experience this year. They have Luis Suarez to thank for that. Let's go Saints. Go get 15 points.

Yeah, fortunately now I wont have to grit my teeth and root for Liverpool for the sake of European football. a big thank you to Arsenal.

I am not torn at all. I root for liverpool in that scenario. I want what is good for southampton. Why deny the players on the current team a chance for European football because of petty grudges.

I have Saints tying City for 4th place, but the Saints taking 4th on goal difference. How you say? Due to the 0-8 result against Sunderland on May2nd. Don't tell me it is not possible. We know it is possible.

I had that horrible thought as well.. If this was the table going into the last weekend: 4 Man City 70 5 Liverpool 69 6 Southampton 68 7 Spurs 54 If Liverpool beats Stoke and we beat City, it ends up: 4 Liverpool 72 5 Southampton 71 6 Man City 70 7 Spurs 54 If Liverpool beats Stoke and we lose to City, it ends up: 4 Man City 73 5 Liverpool 72 6 Southampton 68 7 Spurs 54 Either scenario, we are got Europa. What result do you root for?

I am totally enjoying it. But I am also dreaming of what more I could possibly enjoy about the season. Fine by me. Let Liverpool choke on the pressure. Every time they suddenly feel they are close or have a chance they cock it up.

Amazing to think we may essentially know by next Sunday evening.

I like the idea of a single DCM with Scheiderlin (considering Wanyama is out), but it seems Mane prefers playing closer to the middle.. how about? -------------------K.Davis----------------- Clyne-- Fonte --Alderweireld---Bertrand --------------- Schneiderlin--------------- Tadic----------Ward-Prowse-----------Elia ---------------Pelle -----Mane------------- too offensive?

01) We'll be a minimum of 6 points off 4th at the end of the day tomorrow. 02) We are 9 points ahead of 8th place team (Swansea) with 6 matches to go. I would say a Top 7 finish is all but secured. 03) We have matched last years point total (56 points) with 6 matches to go. 04) only 22 goals allowed all season.. last year we allowed 46 goals. Incredible! 05) And I'll say it again, Tadic needs to start every game here on out. He is really the only creative player we got on the pitch.

Tadic needs to be starting every game here on out. He has made all the difference. I don't get Koeman's tinkering.

no creativity or playmaking out there. I have no idea what our offensive strategy is. Tadic and JWP in. Pelle and Davis out. Wanyama being played today was a bad choice, especially knowing that Friend was officiating. Hull has gotten the ball in our penalty box a little too much for my liking. All it takes is one weird deflection in a crowd and this game is over. That being said, I can't say the back 4 have played badly, but really no offensive threat on either wings in the first half.

Welcome. Welcome. I am from the States as well and have been a fan for a few years before joining SaintWeb this season. Everyone on here has been great. The more the merrier.

Yep. I don't blame the club at all. Sure, it would be nice to have, but they don't grow on trees. Wasn't a lot of transfer movement for most clubs last January. It's not like there were 15 goals a season strikers out there for the taking. ya think? Koeman/Krueger have done more with less than these other clubs with huge bankrolls and international quality all over the pitch. That's how Southampton has to play it - Be smarter, develop young players, have quality scouting, emphasize team, and have some luck. we have done most of all these this season and we got close to Top 4, but we ran out of luck.

sorry.. got my games remaining count all messed up there above, but my point remains.. top 4 is done.

I have been as optimistic as anyone on our top 4 chances.. but that dream is kaput after today. We needed to go 7-1-1 to have any kind of realistic chance. so now we need to go 7-1-0 the rest of the way out? No way. not with our current form... 5 goals in the last 9 matches? sheesh. like most said; 5th is still very well in the realm of possibility. Finishing ahead of 2 teams that tried to tear us apart last summer is now the GOAL.

perfectly summed up.

It's not completely crazy to think that we could win our next 3 matches (Everton, Hull, Stoke) and ManU could lose 2 (Arsenal, City) out of their next 3. That would put both teams at 62 points 3 matches from now. If we are shooting for 4th place: I think 72 points will get you 4th place this season. So, sitting at 53 points, Saints need 19 points out of 24 possible points remaining. Where will those points come from? Everton (a) - W Hull (h) - W Stroke (a) - W Tottenham (h) - D Sunderland (a) - W Leicester (a) - W Aston Villa (h) - W Man City (a) - L No room for error, but those predictions are not completely outrageous. Admittedly, Stoke and Everton away are tricky. I think a draw with Tottenham at home is reasonable. A loss away at City is certainly expected. going for 5th, 6th place: Saints have to do just slightly better than Tottenham and/or Liverpool over the next 8 games. Saint will more than likely have the advantage of goal differential in case we end up even with either after 38 games. Liverpool still has to play Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (a) and Stoke (a) and only has 3 home games left. Still has FA Cup to deal with. Tottenham plays the Saints (a) and Man City (h). Also has only 3 home games left. Tottenham's schedule is nearly the same in difficulty as Southampton's. Liverpool's is more difficult. coming in 7th place: Currently 10 points separate 7th and 8th place with 8 matches left. I think 7th place is pretty well sown up with just one more win.

I like that it is the early game on Saturday. They pressure gets piled on when you already know most of results from your competition over the weekend.

yep, if we take care of business the next 3 matches [Everton (a), Hull (h) and Stoke (a), big ask, I know], we may only be a point or two off 4th place when we play Tottenham.

Well, Koeman and Watson have two weeks to sort it out. Neither will be on international duty.. work 'em for the next two weeks and Koeman will start the one they feel gives us the best chance to win. 8 games left and 7th place pretty well secure. I doubt they bring anyone new in. --oops, is Watson going to be occupied with the national team the next two weeks?

Pelle was active and was in the mix the whole match. I'll take a striker who gets chances versus one who doesn't. Bertrand man of the match for me. The left side dominated the match today. Davis also has a very good game. K. Davis stepped up bigtime, although his casual footwork scared the hell out of me. As far as the result: Not really much to complain about, unless you like to complain. a. we got three points b. we kept a clean sheet c. we retain 6th place. d. We got our 16th win of the season (last year we had 15 wins) e. Wanyama didn't pick up a yellow

no need to worry about that anymore. 7th will go to Europa unless someone other than Liverpool or Arsenal win the FA Cup.

a lot depends on style of play. Similar to basketball, you are going to go to the free throw line a lot more if you are aggressive and taking the ball to the hoop. Does your style of play involve taking a lot of jump shots from the 3 point line? You aren't going to get many trips to the free throw line playing that way.